What to Look Out for When Buying Travel Insurance for Your Scuba Diving Trip
- Cuddlefish Divers
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Scuba diving opens up a whole new world beneath the waves – coral gardens, majestic manta rays, schools of fish dancing in unison. But like all adventures, diving comes with risks. Whether you’re exploring the reefs of Tioman, the wrecks of Bali, or liveaboards in the Maldives, travel insurance is one of the most important items on your dive checklist.
Here’s what every diver should look out for when buying travel insurance for a scuba diving trip:
1. Confirm That Scuba Diving Is Covered in your Travel Insurance
Not all travel insurance policies automatically cover scuba diving. Some only include “leisure diving up to a certain depth,” while others exclude it entirely.
Check the maximum depth limit (common cut-offs are 30m or 40m).
Ensure wreck dives, night dives, or cave dives are covered if you plan to do them.
Verify that diving under professional supervision (PADI, SSI, CMAS, etc.) is included.
👉 Before you plan your next dive trip, review our guide to scuba diving safety essentials to make sure you’re fully prepared.
2. Add Extreme Sports or Adventure Sports Cover
Most insurers classify scuba diving as an “extreme sport.” This means you often need to add an optional rider or upgrade your plan. Without it, claims for dive-related injuries or accidents might be denied.
👉 Always tick the “extreme sports cover” option when purchasing.
3. Emergency Evacuation & Hyperbaric Chamber Costs
Dive accidents can require urgent evacuation to the nearest recompression chamber. Costs can skyrocket:
Boat or helicopter evacuation from remote islands.
Hyperbaric chamber treatments, which may require multiple sessions.
Repatriation costs if you need to return home for treatment.
Your policy should cover at least USD 100,000 in medical evacuation and treatment costs.
For context, check out our recent blog on DCS and rapid ascents to see how proper planning and insurance could save your life.
4. Medical Expenses – Above and Below the Surface
Look for comprehensive medical cover that includes:
Decompression Sickness (DCS) / “the bends”
Barotrauma (ear, sinus, lung injuries)
Marine life injuries (stings, bites, cuts)
Follow-up treatment after your trip
Some cheaper plans cap medical coverage too low to be practical for divers.
5. Trip Cancellation & Equipment Protection
Scuba trips are often costly – liveaboards, dive resorts, prepaid courses. Choose a policy that reimburses you if you:
Cancel due to illness, injury, or family emergency.
Lose your dive gear in transit.
Have equipment damaged during travel.
Pro tip: Some policies even cover gear rental fees if your luggage goes missing. If you’re upgrading your kit, check out our reviews on Shearwater dive computers and other essential scuba gear.
6. Check for Depth Limits & Certification Requirements
Policies sometimes set strict conditions:
Depth limit – often 30m for Open Water divers, 40m for Advanced.
Certification proof – you may need to show your PADI/SSI card if you make a claim.
If you plan technical dives, ensure your insurance allows depths beyond recreational limits.
7. Consider Specialist Dive Insurance
General travel insurance is a start, but specialist providers like DAN (Divers Alert Network) and DiveAssure are tailored for divers:
DAN (Divers Alert Network): Known worldwide, with 24/7 emergency hotline and direct access to diving doctors.
DiveAssure: Offers single-trip or annual plans, including liveaboard-specific coverage.
Both cover evacuation, chamber treatment, and dive accident medical bills more comprehensively than standard insurers.
8. Worldwide vs. Regional Cover
If you’re heading overseas, make sure your policy applies in your destination. Some travel insurance plans are region-specific, while DAN and DiveAssure offer worldwide coverage.
For inspiration on your next trip, check out our blog on diving at St John’s Island, Singapore.
9. COVID-19 & Pandemic Coverage
Many insurers now exclude pandemics. If COVID-19 causes you to cancel or delays treatment, check if your plan covers these scenarios.
Final Tips Before You Dive - Travel Insurance
✔ Always declare scuba diving when buying insurance.✔ Carry your insurance card or digital copy with you.✔ Know the nearest chamber at your dive destination.✔ Save emergency hotlines in your phone.
Call to Action for your Travel Insurance
Scuba diving is about freedom, wonder, and exploration – not worrying about “what if.” With the right insurance, you can dive knowing you’re protected.
👉 At Cuddlefish Divers, we strongly recommend every diver to secure specialist dive cover through DAN or DiveAssure, especially when heading on overseas trips or liveaboards.
Ready to plan your next underwater adventure? Explore our upcoming dive trips or drop by our Cuddlefish Divers store for gear, advice, and travel planning.
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